More Rain Possible, Plus Cooler Temps Before Warm Weekend: IL Weather

CHICAGO — Warmer weather will soon return to the greater Chicago area this week, but not before local residents will need to endure a few days of below-average temperatures and more rain chances before things turn nicer.

The National Weather Service predicts temperatures will reach the upper 70s and even low 80s as the Memorial Day weekend approaches. But before the long weekend arrives, forecasters are predicting temperatures just in the upper 50s with chances of rain on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Forecasters predict that the work week will start out sunny but cool on Monday, and temperatures will struggle to climb out of the mid-50s. The cool air continues into Tuesday, when the sun will give way to clouds and temperatures again around 56.

Rain moves into the area on Tuesday night with a chance of thunderstorms arriving late. Forecasters are calling for a 90 percent chance of rain with overnight lows in the 50s. Temperatures may approach 70 degrees on Wednesday, but the forecast again calls for a 90 percent chance of rain.

Temperatures drop back into the low 60s on Thursday, with another chance of rain possible before things eventually dry out for the weekend. Temperatures will climb into the low 70s on Friday when the sun returns before sticking around into the weekend, when conditions are expected to be more spring-like ahead of the holiday.